Canada 3-1 Switzerland 
Olympic Semifinal
Shayba Arena, Sochi 
Monday, February 17, 2014

Canada capitalized on an early lead over Switzerland to defeat the Swiss 3-1, and qualify for their fifth consecutive Olympic Gold Medal Game, in the hopes of winning their fourth straight Gold Medal and unifying it with the International Hockey Lineal Championship.

While Canada had faced difficulty in the group round against Swiss hot handed netminder Florence Schelling, there was no difficulty in the first twenty minutes, as a pair of goals from Natalie Spooner (including one on the power play) and a tally by Mélodie Daoust suddenly had Canada ahead 3-0 only twelve minutes into the game, scoring three goals in just over four minutes.

While the Swiss did a good job of lessening the damage in the second and third periods, with Schelling stopping 22 in the second alone and Switzerland getting a power play goal from Jessica Lutz, it was simply too little too late. While Schelling did stand on her head for the rest of the game, the Swiss had trouble staying out of the penalty box, capitalizing on any power plays they did have, or putting enough shots on Shannon Szabados. While it was certainly a valiant effort from an unexpected medal round contender, Canada was well on its way to the Gold Medal Game very early.

With the victory, Canada wins its second straight game in its current International Hockey Lineal Championship reign, its 30th overall, after winning the IHLC from the United States in the Preliminary Round finale on February 12. Canada, who last defeated Switzerland with the IHLC on the line in a 13-0 drubbing at the 2013 World Championships, will now advance to play their second consecutive Gold Medal Game against the United States, and fourth overall, with a potential streak of four straight Golds, and the IHLC, on the line.

BOXSCORE
1st Period
07:29 –  GOAL – Spooner (Wickenheiser)
09:02 –  PEN – Bullo, tripping
10:53 –  PEN – S. Benz, hooking
11:10 –  PP GOAL – Spooner (Ward, Wickenheiser)
11:33 –  GOAL – Daoust (Wakefield)
12:47 –  PEN – team, too many players

2nd Period
20:47 –  PEN – S. Marty, tripping
22:58 –  PEN – Johnston, tripping
24:26 –  PEN – Rougeau, hooking
25:14 –  PP GOAL – Lutz (S. Benz, L. Benz)
28:55 –  PEN – L. Benz, cross checking
31:08 –  PEN – Apps, body checking
39:33 –  PEN – Forster, tripping

3rd Period
41:56 –  PEN – Hefford, hooking
50:54 –  PEN – Watchorn, body checking

GOALTENDERS
W:  Szabados (21-22)
L:  Schelling (45-48)

SHOTS ON GOAL
 16+22+10 = 48
 5+7+10 = 22

ROSTERS
 Goaltenders: Charline Labonté, Shannon Szabados. Defence: Laura Fortino, Jocelyne Larocque, Lauriane Rougeau, Catherine Ward (A), Tara Watchorn. Forwards: Meghan Agosta, Gillian Apps, Mélodie Daoust, Jayna Hefford, Haley Irwin, Brianne Jenner, Rebecca Johnston, Caroline Ouellette (C), Marie-Philip Poulin, Natalie Spooner, Jennifer Wakefield, Hayley Wickenheiser (A).
 Goaltenders: Sophie Anthamatten, Florence Schelling. Defence: Livia Altmann, Laura Benz, Nicole Bullo, Sarah Forster, Angela Frautschi, Julia Marty (C), Lara Stalder, Sandra Thalmann. Forwards: Sara Benz (A), Romy Eggimann, Jessica Lutz, Stefanie Marty, Alina Müller, Katrin Nahbolz (A), Evelina Raselli, Phoebe Stanz, Anja Stiefel, Nina Waidacher.

Photo Credit: Sochi 2014 – IIHF – HHOF – IOC